Jerald Herrick

Jerald J. Herrick, “Jerry” 74, of Augusta, passed away peacefully at his home Sunday evening March 3, 2019, with his loving family by his side.
Jerald James Herrick was born March 22, 1944 at the Herrick family home in rural Augusta. Jerry was one of 11 children born to Dudley and Grace (Olson-Pettibone) Herrick. He attended the Dells Country School and graduated from Augusta High School in 1963. On June 19, 1965, Jerry was united in marriage with the love of his life, Laura Ruppelt at Grace Lutheran Church in Augusta. Jerry had worked with the Wisconsin D.N.R. during the Coon Fork Lake Project before enlisting in the United States Navy. Following boot camp the Navy discovered a skeletal abnormality with Jerry and he was medically discharged. He than took a job with Rayovac Batteries in Madison, where he worked for over 6 years. In the early 1970’s the couple moved back to Augusta and Jerry worked for Lampert Yards and for a time as a machinist in Chippewa Falls, before taking a position with the Augusta city crew. Jerry worked just shy of 30 years for the city of Augusta, first with the crew and than for many years as the caretaker of the waste water treatment plant. Due to failing health he had to fully retire at the age of 58.
If you knew Jerry, you knew how much he loved to dance to old time and country music, especially polkas, waltzes and “belly rubbers” as he affectionately referred to a slow dance. Another favorite past time was bow and arrow hunting in the Augusta area with his family, and then on his own hunting property in the Levis area. Over the years he had also enjoyed camping with his family at Coon Fork and fishing below the dam on Lake Eau Claire. Jerry took pride in keeping his lawn looking nice and tending to his bountiful gardens with Laura each year.
Jerry had terrific sense of humor and he will be dearly missed by Laura, his loving wife of 53 years; son, Michael and Mysti Herrick of Eau Claire; 2 daughters, Kelly Herrick (Tony Schaefer) of Chetek, Jodi Behrendt of Augusta; 7 grandchildren, Sydney and Kylie Behrendt, Corey Heath, Erica (Billy) Gore, Angel (Austin) Bowman, Aaron and Amber Herrick; 3 great grandchildren, Larissa Johnson, Elliot and Easton Gore; 2 brothers, Wayne “Pete” (Mary Lou) Herrick of Chippewa Falls, Lawrence Herrick of Stanley; sister, Nancy (Buck) Wolfgang of Augusta; mother-in-law, Lorraine Hanson of Balsam Lake; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Sharon and Dennis Nelson of Eau Claire, Linda Cox of Goose Creek, S.C. and Ron and Wanda Ruppelt of Merkel, TX.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Dudley and Grace; siblings, Richard, Dale, Lenard, Kenny, Karen, Peggy Sue and Sueann Herrick; father-in-law, Art Ruppelt; and brothers-in-law, Michael Ruppelt and Larry Cox.
A visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2019 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta, with funeral services being held on Friday at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Laura and the family would like to take this opportunity to thank their caring neighbors for everything they have done for them over the years. They have been there for them at a minutes notice to help with numerous tasks. They have all made living on Anderson Street a peaceful and wonderful experience. Thank you again neighbors, your kindness will never be forgotten.
Online condolences can be left at www.andersonfhaugusta.com.